Focus turns to private hospitals as health system under 'very serious pressure'

The number of patients in hospital with Covid-19 has doubled since the beginning of October, as has the number of patients in intensive care.

Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid will tell an Oireachtas Committee today that the entire health system is now “under very serious pressure” due to the surge in Covid-19 cases.

The HSE has taken immediate measures in response to the pressures on hospitals and on ICU, Mr Reid will say, as efforts are made to increase surge capacity through providing additional beds.